Deep electromagnetic (MT and AMT) sounding of the suture zones of the Ukrainian shield

The article discusses the results of deep magnetotelluric sounding of suture zones in the Precambrian structures of the Ukrainian shield in the context of collisional settings. All the considered suture zones (Orekhovo-Pavlograd, West Ingulets-Krivoi Rog, Golovanevsk-Yadlov-Traktemir, Nemirov-Kocherov or Brusilov) are associated with the regional anomalies of increased electric conductivity, which mark deep fault zones and characterize collisional settings. The nature of such deep anomalies might be due to the transport of the ore components together with the fluids from the crust and the mantle during the tectonomagmatic activation, which offers the possibility to predict the prospective areas of endogenic mineralization. A correlation has been established between the endogenic ore deposits located close to or within the suture zones and the low-resistivity anomalies.     

Towards hydrological triggering mechanisms of large deep-seated landslides

It is a widely accepted idea that hydrologically triggered deep-seated landslides are initiated by an increase in pore-water pressure on potential slip surface induced by rising groundwater level after prolonged period of intense rainfall although the process is not fully understood. In order to contribute to better understanding, the rainfall–groundwater relationships, hydrogeological monitoring and repeated geoelectrical imaging were carried out from March 2007 to April 2011 in large deep-seated landslide near ?ubietová (Western Carpathians) catastrophically reactivated at the end of February 1977. Based on our observations, groundwater level (GWL) response to precipitation differs considerably with respect to both overall hydrological conditions and GWL mean depth. While the rate of GWL increase up to 25 cm/day were measured after some rainfall events during wet periods, noticeably lower recharge rate (up to 1–2 cm/day) and delayed GWL response to rainfall (usually from 2 weeks to 2–4 months) were observed at the beginning of the wet season after considerable depression of GWLs due to previous effective rainfall deficit. Likewise, slow GWL fluctuations without short-term oscillations are typical for deeper GWLs. Thus, long-term (several seasons to several years) hydrological conditions affect markedly groundwater response to rainfall events in the studied landslide and can be crucial for its behaviour. Comparison of hydrological conditions characterising the analysed period with those that accompanied the landslide reactivation in 1977 allow us to assume that slightly above-average rainy season following the prolonged wet period can be far more responsible for movement acceleration (and possibly failure initiation) in deep landslides than the isolated season of extreme precipitation following a longer dry period. This is true especially for landslides in regions with significant seasonal temperature changes where potential effective precipitation (PEP), calculated as excess of precipitation (P) over potential evapotranspiration (PET), may be efficiently used for estimation of slope saturation condition.     

Abu Roash G dolomite reservoir characterization using seismic inversion technique, Horus field, Western Desert, Egypt

The main objective of this paper was the characterization of the reservoir (Abu Roash G dolomite) in terms of acoustic impedance from surface seismic data complemented by available well logs. To reach our target, a two-step procedure was followed: first, identification of the reservoir signatures using synthetic seismogram using Strata program in Hampson–Russell software and second, applying inversion technique to the post-stack seismic data using Strata program in Hampson–Russell software to obtain acoustic impedance profiles and maps. This procedure was applied to 12 3D seismic lines (six cross-lines, and six in-lines) from Horus field in Western Desert in Egypt after converting them from analog state to SEGY format by vectorization. Five wells had been used in this study. The outcome of this paper is an improved subsurface image of seismic data and achieving the reservoir characterization in a good way.     

Removal of zinc(II) from aqueous solutions using modified agricultural wastes: kinetics and equilibrium studies

In recent years, the need for safe and economical methods to eliminate heavy metals from contaminated waters has necessitated research on the production of low-cost alternatives to commercially available activated carbon. In the present work, in order to enhance the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water, Zizyphus vulgaris wastes were modified chemically to produce an adsorbent rich in carboxylic groups to enhance the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water. Adsorption of Zn(II) ions on the produced adsorbent was then optimized. The optimal ratio for esterification involved the treatment of Z. vulgaris wastes (1 g) with 0.0037 mmol malic acid in the presence of a very small amount of water for 2 h at 140 °C. The maximum values for adsorption capacity, q _max, were 28.7 and 164.6 mg/g on native and modified Z. vulgaris wastes, respectively, at pH 5 and 30 °C with a contact time 2 h and an initial metal ion concentration of 400 mg/L. The equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models and demonstrated the significant capacity for Z. vulgaris wastes in the removal of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions.     

Balneological study based on the hydrogeochemical aspects of the sulfate springs water (Hit–Kubaiysa region), Iraq

This research examined the balneological characteristics of spring waters within the area of Abu-Jir Fault Zone throughout the hydrogeologic aspects explained by the setting of the hydrogeologic units including the water-bearing horizons of Euphrates, Ana, and Baba Formations. The groundwater flow in the hydrogeologic system correlated with the trends of enrichment or depletion case processes of mineralization (spatial distribution maps of TDS and other components) show different phenomena of groundwater source and interconnection, which helps in the classification springs into two potential site. The physicochemical characteristics of the water flow from springs indicate a hydrochemical approach throughout the spatial variation of important parameters (using Rockware software) related to the balneological study. The monitoring network of the spring waters performed by seven field measurements and 33 variables (totaling to 720 detected measurements) in 18 springs approved the after desk study and water point inventory using a GPS apparatus (GARMIN SUMMIT-e TREX). The study examined the integrated hydrogeological aspects and spring water properties for evolutions and the classification of minero-medicinal water. The traditional hydrochemical information of the spring waters and their sediment properties correlated with balneological limits (standards and definitions) are used in the selection of springs characterized by balneotherapeutic applications. A suggested screening and ranking technique has been developed for evaluating preferable springs selected for natural therapy. The application of ranking technique indicates four graded consequent preferable springs for balneotherapeutic investment: first grade spring represented by Kubaiysa spring (S-4); second grade springs represented by Tawila spring (S-12); third grade springs represented by Mamora spring (S-15), Arnab spring (S-10), Zazoe spring (S-5), and Maqtoom spring (S-13); and fourth grade springs represented by Khalidiya spring (S-16) and Layeg spring (S-7).     

The stages of the development of the basin of the Bransfield Strait

The study of the sedimentary body of the Bransfield Strait has made it possible to identify several sedimentary complexes, to construct the first electronic charts for the acoustic basement, and to establish four stages of the evolution of its floor, which updates the previous knowledge about the formation of the strait. At the first stage, there was an increase in tension stresses that were accompanied by the local splits of the continental crust at the periphery of the Antarctic Peninsula. At the second stage, a graben-like structure filled with the Lower stratigraphic complex was formed northward of the Antarctic Peninsula. At the third stage, the continuing processes of extension led to intensive explosive activity of the growing volcanic structures and filling of the graben with sediments of the Middle seismostratigraphic complex. The fourth stage, which has continued until recently, is characterized by quasi-linear localization of the major centers of volcanic activity in the band closer to the South-Shetland Islands and the formation of the Upper seismostratigraphic sedimentary complex. The evolution of the floor of the Bransfield Strait reflects the process of penetration of the American-Antarctic ridge to the continental lithosphere of the Antarctic Peninsula for the last million years.     

Fuzzy inference guided cellular automata urban‐growth modelling using multi‐temporal satellite images

This paper presents a fuzzy inference guided cellular automata approach. Semantic or linguistic knowledge on urban development is expressed as fuzzy rules, based on which fuzzy inference is applied to determine the urban development potential for each pixel. A defuzzification process converts the development potential to the required neighbourhood development level, which is taken by cellular automata as initial approximation for its transition rules. Such approximations are updated through spatial calibration over townships and temporal calibration with multi‐temporal satellite images. Assessment of the modelling results is based on three evaluation measures: fitness and Type I and Type II errors. The approach is applied to model the growth of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana over a period of 30 years from 1973 to 2003. A fitness level of 100 ±20% with 30% average errors can be achieved for 80% of the townships in urban‐growth prediction.     

The cumulative impacts of reclamation and dredging on the marine ecology and land-use in the Kingdom of Bahrain

This article assesses the ecological and economic impacts of land reclamation and dredging through consulting recent environmental impact assessment reports. Geographic features of Bahrain during 1963-2008 are produced using Geographical Information System. Extensive but inexpensive shallow coastal areas and tidal flats have been reclaimed particularly from 1997 to 2007 at a high rate of 21 km(2)/year. Formal records show the increase in the original land mass by the year 2008 to be 91 km(2). An estimated total cumulative loss of major habitats resulting from 10 reclamation projects was around 153.58 km(2). Also much larger scale impacts should be considered resulting from the borrow areas used for the extraction of sand or infill materials. A number of key habitats and species are affected in the vicinity of these projects. The study attempts to assign a monetary value to the marine ecosystem functions. There is a need for efficient coastal zone management to regulate a sustainable use of the marine resources.     

Azimuthal anisotropy analysis of walkaround vertical seismic profiling vertical seismic profiling: a case study from Saudi Arabia

Understanding fracture orientations is important for optimal field development of fractured reservoirs because fractures can act as conduits for fluid flow. This is especially true for unconventional reservoirs (e.g., tight gas sands and shale gas). Using walkaround Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) technology presents a unique opportunity to identify seismic azimuthal anisotropy for use in mapping potential fracture zones and their orientation around a borehole. Saudi Aramco recently completed the acquisition, processing and analysis of a walkaround VSP survey through an unconventional tight gas sand reservoir to help characterize fractures. In this paper, we present the results of the seismic azimuthal anisotropy analysis using seismic traveltime, shear‐wave splitting and amplitude attenuation. The azimuthal anisotropy results are compared to the fracture orientations derived from dipole sonic and image logs. The image log interpretation suggests that an orthorhombic fracture system is present. VSP data show that the P‐wave traveltime anisotropy direction is NE to SW. This is consistent with the cemented fractures from the image log interpretation. The seismic amplitude attenuation anisotropy direction is NW to SE. This is consistent with one of the two orientations obtained using transverse to radial amplitude ratio analysis, with the dipole sonic and with open fracture directions interpreted from image log data.